Third Party Graders

Just curious, what are the qualifications to become a coin grader at one of the top-tier TPGs? I was just opening a roll of nickels at my desk during a long conference call, finding 2 silver nickels and a 1928 buffalo and I thought to myself, I'd love to do this all day long and get paid for it. How do I sign up? Not that they'd want anyone with 3 months experience!

 

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You gotta have a TON of experiance. BUt other than that, move to florida, callifornia, or texas, to be near them, and apply.

 

I would think the work would be very tedious after awhile.

 

I think you may be right. I can look at coins all day long if they're mine.

 

I heard once that each grader is required to meet a quota ~ i.e., something like .. 400 a day ... which left less than a minute per coin. I'm wondering if anyone has heard this, can confirm or invalidate?

 

In other words, he works 6 hours or less per day?

 

400 a day ... which left less than a minute per coin.


1 minute per coin.....doesn't really give me a whole lot of comfort. No wonder there isn't a lot of consistency in their opinions.

 

I'm guessing it's at least 1 1/2 minutes to 2 per coin. It doesn't sound like much, but seriously, how long does it take to form an opinion on a particular coin? Especially if you're an expert.

 

No kidding. I bought an 1885-P Morgan graded MS64 by NGC, but I'll chew my toenails if it's not a 65. I'm glad I got it though, because I bought the coin, not the holder.

 

Experience:
NGC & PCGS & ANACS: years & years.

SGS: 27 minutes, including lunch..

 

Wow! Those "experts" get a short lunch. Guess a longer one would cut into the profits.

 

Based on observation of other professions... that's about average when you consider personal breaks, nature calls, meetings, etc... yeah ... six hours

 

It is a good thing you were not working around me. Most of us were working around 600-700 minute. And, if you are getting $250,000, I would hope that you would put in an 8 hour day - at least most of the time. Those getting $15 per, they are the ones who only work 400 minutes a day.

 

I believe it.

 

And the grading company will also train you to their standards. You really only need to be able to grade consistently, as once you can, you can adjust your grades to their standards.

Most of the graders are ex-dealers.

Many of the bulk graders are collectors that maybe did a little dealing. There is less need for consistency and knowledge for the bulk graders. You work your way up the coin chain (i.e. start with maybe Silver Eagles, then State Quarters, then Franklins, etc).

Graders may also work on Saturday to clear a backlog.

And yes, a couple seconds for each coin is normal. It shouldn't take anyone more than a few seconds to grade a typical coin.

 

Man you are slow!
SGS can do over 36,000 per minute, per grader.

 

grading by tpg

i heard they 'show it' to a computer then BINGO! they got the grade. yes?

grizz